My creds: I’m an old, ailing, white male in his ninth decade, born, reared and educated in the South. I’ve lived south of Richmond my entire life and don’t expect that to change. Even so, I can’t recall a moment during my lifetime when I’ve let race affect how I’ve lived or treated others. I hope it never does.

That said …

It bothers me that so many NASCAR fans constantly disrespect Bubba Wallace. Since 2012, he’s run 380 races in the organization’s top three series, winning eight times. In 2018, he became the Cup Series’ first Black driver since Bill Lester 12 years earlier. He’s only the second Black driver to win in Cup, 58 years after Wendell Scott.

Despite his success, fans denigrate almost everything Wallace does. They say he’s a terrible driver, a no-talent hack. They don’t like his attitude or how he carries himself. They shudder that he has a pregnant white wife. They call him a whiner, a malcontent. Some have called him an embarrassment who should be run off.

That’s odd since he hasn’t done anything, or said anything, that almost every other driver hasn’t done or said at some point. He’s booed and jeered at pre-race introductions, clearly replacing Kyle Busch as the Cup’s most unpopular driver. Surprisingly, it hasn’t helped much that he’s driven for much-beloved icons Richard Petty and Michael Jordan.

Wallace has been accepted by most in the racing community, but it’s unlikely some fans will ever view him as just another racer. After seven years and those 380 starts, he’s still fighting to feel comfortable. Unfortunately, small-minded people with hatred and bigotry still command the loudest bullhorns in these politically- and culturally-divisive times. They never miss a chance for cheap shots.

Message boards carped that Wallace won the rain-shortened fall 2021 Talladega Superspeedway race only because officials stopped it while he was leading. In fact, the rain that interrupted the Monday afternoon show lasted all night, making the call perfectly appropriate. He briefly silenced the naysayers the next year by convincingly winning a full-distance race at Kansas Speedway.

Still, critics say he’s prone to emotional meltdowns that endanger others. They cite last month’s post-race contact with Alex Bowman at Chicago as proof he can’t control himself. And they point out he intentionally wrecked Kyle Larson at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2022, incurring a one-race suspension. Have those critics forgotten that championship drivers Chase Elliott and Matt Kenseth have also been suspended for rough driving?

It’s worrisome that people aren’t overwrought when white drivers lose their temper, wreck each other and fight. (Wink, wink: boys will be boys). But those same fans pound their keyboards with invective and personal attacks when Wallace shows his competitive emotions. With him, this seems like an obvious double-standard of the oft-quoted “goose and gander” adage.

In truth, almost every driver has gone over the edge. A partial list: former champions Elliott, Larson, Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt and the Busch brothers. You get a virtual all-star lineup if you include Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Ricky Rudd, A.J. Allmendinger, Clint Bowyer, Ty Gibbs and Ricky Stenhouse. And, of course, that Hall of Fame trio of Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough in Turn 3 after the 1979 Daytona 500.

In fairness, it might be that some of the hatred aimed at Wallace is because he drives a Toyota. The Japanese manufacturer upended NASCAR when it arrived in 2007 with massive financial and technological resources that destroyed the sport’s fragile competitive balance. Fans comfortable watching Ford, General Motors and Chrysler Corp. products didn’t exactly welcome the “dark side” (Jack Roush’s term) with open arms.

Another recurring rap is that Wallace showed up with a chip on his shoulder. Critics called him cocky and arrogant, full of himself. They said his swagger didn’t match his record, that he was all hat and no cattle. They unfairly accused him of orchestrating that 2020 Talladega garage pull-down controversy that was not of his doing.

Arrogant and cocky as a newcomer? Really … sort of like when 20-something Darrell Waltrip showed up in 1972 to start a three-championship, Hall of Fame career? Or the championship-winning Kevin Harvick and the Busch brothers? Or the ill-fated Tim Richmond? Or not immediately, but fairly quickly, the late, sainted Mr. Earnhardt?

Again: I know why Bubba Wallace is the most reviled driver in Cup Series racing. Trouble is, I just don’t understand why.

And that’s sad … because I thought we had become better than that.

Al Pearce, a native of eastern North Carolina, is a semi-retired sports writer who’s lived in Newport News since returning from Vietnam in 1968. He spent 35 years at the Times-Herald/Daily Press, where his primary beat was motorsports, starting at Dover, Delaware, in July of 1969. He is a multi-award winner and member of five media halls of fame. Reach him at omanoran123@gmail.com.

Donlavey was 90 when he died Monday night at an assisted-living facility in Richmond. That age reference seems perfectly appropriate since 90 was the number he carried on his Modified, Sportsman and Grand National (later Sprint Cup) cars. He was universally beloved by all who knew him, including men, women and children inside of racing and those on the outside. He was an honest, gracious, polite, unsullied, courtly and respectful gentleman in every sense of the word.

On Tuesday, former three-time NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip described him as “a man of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

NASCAR called Donlavey “a treasure” and added, “He was a man who personified NASCAR’s proud past.”

Veteran NASCAR-watcher Monte Dutton blogged Tuesday: “I will never think of the number 90 without thinking of the leprechaun … always chuckling, never depressed or angry, everything in its proper perspective.”

Donlavey’s underlying goodness was vividly revealed in May 1981, when journeyman racer Jody Ridley gave the Richmond-based team its only major victory. But it was something of a bittersweet afternoon, as Neil Bonnett in the Wood brothers’ No. 21 car and Cale Yarborough in M.C. Anderson’s No. 27 dropped out in the final laps at Dover, Del. When Ridley took the checkered flag, Donlavey seemed as disappointed for Bonnett and Yarborough as he was happy for himself.

Glen Wood, one of the No. 21’s owners, said, “The only thing you really need to know about Junie Donlavey is that he was probably the most well-liked person ever in NASCAR.”

Before that Sunday, the low-budget, mostly volunteer, Ford-based team had lost 348 Cup races; after that weekend, it lost 514 more. Growing weary of the grind, Donlavey retired after two races in 2004. His career scorecard: two poles, that one victory at Dover, 60 top-five finishes and 218 top-10 finishes. He fielded cars for three Rookies of the Year: Bill Dennis in 1970, Ridley in 1980 and Ken Schrader in 1985.

Perhaps the highlight of Donlavey’s career was representing the United States at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1976. NASCAR sent two cars to the endurance race, Donlavey’s Ford Torino and a Dodge Charger fielded by owner/driver Hershel McGriff. The Dodge blew up in the opening minutes, but co-drivers Dick Brooks, Dick Hutcherson and Frenchman Marcel Mignot soldiered on until their No. 90 Ford had a terminal transmission-related issue at 3 a.m., after 11 of the scheduled 24 hours.

Undeterred, undaunted and still smiling and full of optimism, Donlavey returned to Richmond to prepare for his team’s next race, a 400-miler near Detroit one week hence. After all, that’s what he did — and that’s how he did it.

Pearce covered motorsports for the Daily Press for 35 years before retiring in 2004.

Donlavey was 90 when he died Monday night at an assisted-living facility in Richmond. That age reference seems perfectly appropriate since 90 was the number he carried on his Modified, Sportsman and Grand National (later Sprint Cup) cars. He was universally beloved by all who knew him, including men, women and children inside of racing and those on the outside. He was an honest, gracious, polite, unsullied, courtly and respectful gentleman in every sense of the word.

On Tuesday, former three-time NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip described him as “a man of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

NASCAR called Donlavey “a treasure” and added, “He was a man who personified NASCAR’s proud past.”

Veteran NASCAR-watcher Monte Dutton blogged Tuesday: “I will never think of the number 90 without thinking of the leprechaun … always chuckling, never depressed or angry, everything in its proper perspective.”

Donlavey’s underlying goodness was vividly revealed in May 1981, when journeyman racer Jody Ridley gave the Richmond-based team its only major victory. But it was something of a bittersweet afternoon, as Neil Bonnett in the Wood brothers’ No. 21 car and Cale Yarborough in M.C. Anderson’s No. 27 dropped out in the final laps at Dover, Del. When Ridley took the checkered flag, Donlavey seemed as disappointed for Bonnett and Yarborough as he was happy for himself.

Glen Wood, one of the No. 21’s owners, said, “The only thing you really need to know about Junie Donlavey is that he was probably the most well-liked person ever in NASCAR.”

Before that Sunday, the low-budget, mostly volunteer, Ford-based team had lost 348 Cup races; after that weekend, it lost 514 more. Growing weary of the grind, Donlavey retired after two races in 2004. His career scorecard: two poles, that one victory at Dover, 60 top-five finishes and 218 top-10 finishes. He fielded cars for three Rookies of the Year: Bill Dennis in 1970, Ridley in 1980 and Ken Schrader in 1985.

Perhaps the highlight of Donlavey’s career was representing the United States at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1976. NASCAR sent two cars to the endurance race, Donlavey’s Ford Torino and a Dodge Charger fielded by owner/driver Hershel McGriff. The Dodge blew up in the opening minutes, but co-drivers Dick Brooks, Dick Hutcherson and Frenchman Marcel Mignot soldiered on until their No. 90 Ford had a terminal transmission-related issue at 3 a.m., after 11 of the scheduled 24 hours.

Undeterred, undaunted and still smiling and full of optimism, Donlavey returned to Richmond to prepare for his team’s next race, a 400-miler near Detroit one week hence. After all, that’s what he did — and that’s how he did it.

Pearce covered motorsports for the Daily Press for 35 years before retiring in 2004.

See, I went directly from college in 1965 to teaching high school in Jacksonville, Fla. There were two driving days between that job and my posting as a second lieutenant at Fort Eustis in 1966. There was a weekend between that job and my debut here in June of 1969. I’ve been hacking away ever since, and I thank you deeply for putting up with me all these years.

Friday wrapped it up, 35 years, 4 months and 19 days after Tony Anthony and the late Nick Mayo welcomed me to the Daily Press. They gave me stock car racing, seen by many colleagues — then as well as now — as an outlaw sport beneath their stick-and-ball dignity. I quickly embraced its marvelous and intelligent athletes and its memorable characters. Underestimate them at your own risk.

The job grew to include almost every high school sport at almost every level. Then there were stints with the Redskins, with Sonny Allen and Paul Webb at ODU and with Ed Ashnault, George Balanis, the Parkhills and the late Jim Root at W&M.; There were countless nights with Bev Vaughan, Glen Russell and C.J. Woollum at CNU. More often than not, the teams I wanted to win didn’t disappoint.

But racing was the beat that most clearly defined my career. I’ve long since lost count of the Friday and Saturday night Late Model shows that preceded overnight dashes to Cup races several states removed. The venues were as diverse as the series themselves: Southside to Suzuka, Langley to LeMans, Southampton to Sears Point, Dixieland to Daytona Beach, Manassas to Melbourne. My election into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame at Talladega was among the best moments of my life. Giving up the beat 13 months ago was among the worst.

Daily journalism has fueled a lifestyle I might never have imagined. After all, this kid grew up wanting nothing more than to drive Atlantic Coast Line passenger trains from Rocky Mount to Florence. My late father — the best locomotive engineer on the planet — insisted on college first, figuring that a degree would keep me off the rails. It did that, but it didn’t keep me off the road.

I’ve been into 50 states, most on company business, others on racing-related freelance assignments.

I’ve crossed the Pacific four times and the Atlantic three, and criss-crossed this country almost a dozen times. I’ve been to The White House, the rim of the Grand Canyon, Margaritaville, The Waldorf-Astoria, Diamondhead, Dealey Plaza, Royal Albert Hall, the Eiffel Tower and Hollywood.

The job led to motorcycle rides across Death Valley, the Great Salt Lake, the Golden Gate Bridge, down the Vegas Strip and through the Rockies and Appalachians.

It offered opportunities to land and cat-launch from aircraft carriers, do trail rides in Alaska, meet kangaroos in Australia and scuba dive in Hawaii. It destroyed some meaningful relationships, but more than balanced that scale by introducing me to my wife at a 1986 press conference. For that — with thanks to two colleagues for sticking me with that assignment — I remain ever so grateful.

Someone recently asked what sports moment I’d most remember. That’s easy: watching a certain 15-year-old get her first top-10 in her first international horse show last summer in Canada. If I’d dropped dead on the spot, I’d have gone a happy man.

Thanks for this final read. Stay well. *

Al Pearce can be reached at home at 596-6012 or by e-mail at omanoran@aol.com.

1 The competition between Bethel’s and Phoebus’ defenses. This is a matchup between the Nos. 2 and 3 defenses in the Peninsula District. The Bruins hold opponents to 159.3 yards per game, and the Phantoms keep teams to a 188.1-yard average. Running backs could play an important role in this contest since both teams feature big, bruising ball-carriers. Phoebus’ Elan Lewis averages 8.8 yards per carry and Bethel’s Ladarius Adams averages 7.

2 Gloucester vs. Menchville. The outcome of this game will be the first victory for one of these teams. The Dukes, who have had several players out because of injury, produced their best offensive output in five games last week. The Monarchs, after being held scoreless through their first four games, have scored in four of their last five outings.

3 The possibility of a playoff spot for the Bruton-New Kent winner. It’s unlikely, but tonight’s New Kent at Bruton winner would slip into the Region I, Division 3 playoffs. York and Poquoson are in, regardless of what happens this weekend. And Nandua of the Eastern Shore likely will be in. The New Kent-Bruton winner will join that trio if Park View of South Hill beats Greensville tonight in the Southside District. Before you get too excited, though, consider this: Greensville is 7-2 and Park View is 3-5.

THE 2,000-YARD CLUB

These area running backs have rushed for 2,000 yards in a season.

Yards Player, school Year

2,864 Terry Kirby, Tabb 1987

2,807 Josh Zidenberg, Poquoson 2003

2,745 Antonio Procise, Sussex Central 1992

2,512 Ronnie Harvey, King & Queen Cent. 1989

2,472 Elan Lewis, Phoebus 2003

2,312 Wayne Briggs, Windsor 1995

2,263 Simeon Tucker, Tabb 1990

2,153 Charles Brown-Rich, York 2003

2,140 Travis McCright, Phoebus 2001

2,119 Terry Kirby, Tabb 1988

2,089 Rian Thompson, Lafayette 1998

2,085 Pervis Binns, Southampton 1999

2,066 Stephen Paige, Charles City 1989

2,054 Simeon Tucker, Tabb 1991

2,028 Michael Johnson, Heritage 2000

2,007 Sterling Branch, King William 1989

MENCHVILLE (0-9, 0-8) VS. GLOUCESTER (0-9, 0-8)

WHEN: 7 tonight.

WHERE: Gloucester High School.

LAST YEAR: Gloucester won 25-14.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: This game is an opportunity for one of these teams to get its first victory.

ABOUT MENCHVILLE: QB Franklin Isaac has thrown eight interceptions and two touchdowns, including a 13-yard TD to Daniel Richmond last week against Hampton. In that game, the Monarchs passed for more than 100 yards for the second week in a row, but they need to cut down on the turnovers (two INTs, two fumbles against Hampton). Menchville’s defense has been suspect against the run, surrendering 308, 310, 340 and 381 yards in its last four outings.

ABOUT GLOUCESTER: Coach David Ward thought RB James Marsh was out for the season with mononucleosis, but Marsh returned last week to run for 70 yards against Heritage. “He’s healthy and ready to go,” Ward said. Gloucester averages 6.4 points per game, so the Dukes need Marsh and QB B.J. Brown to take a lead role in increasing those numbers. DE Troy Wilson (separated shoulder), FS Darren Jackson (torn ACL) and TE/LB Michael Joyner are out for this game.

PREDICTION: Menchville.

BETHEL (7-2, 7-1) VS. PHOEBUS (7-2, 6-2)

WHEN: 7 tonight.

WHERE: Darling Stadium in Hampton.

LAST YEAR: Phoebus won 59-7.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: Phoebus needs a victory to take the No. 2 seed in the Division 5 playoffs. Bethel, because it’s a Division 6 school, is out of the playoffs despite its successful record.

ABOUT BETHEL: Quarterback Darius Mullen sustained a shoulder injury against Denbigh last week, but coach Tracey Parker says he’s fine. RB Ladarius Adams will have a tough time against the Phantoms, but his size (6-1, 210) makes him durable as well as tough. The Bruins will be without their best CB, Jamar Jackson. He was ejected from the Denbigh game last week, which makes him ineligible for this game, according to Virginia High School League rules.

ABOUT PHOEBUS: RB Elan Lewis knows Bethel will concentrate on stopping him, but he is determined to get the 173 yards he needs to break the 2,000-yard mark in the regular season. LBs Stevon Moss and Devonta Lindsay are small but very physical. CBs Reggie Norwood and Denathian Robinson like to come up for support on runs, but they’re also big-play ball hawks on passing downs.

PREDICTION: Phoebus.

WARWICK (4-5, 3-5) VS. HERITAGE (3-6, 2-6)

WHEN: 7 tonight.

WHERE: Todd Stadium in Newport News.

LAST YEAR: Warwick won 21-14.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: Warwick looks like it’s out of the playoffs. Heritage is definitely out. But this is a city-rivalry game that should be hotly contested.

ABOUT HERITAGE: Transfers and injuries have kept Heritage from reaching its potential. QB Travis Jones played well in a win over Gloucester last week, throwing a 46-yard TD to Keith Brown. RBs Larone Vaughn, Donnell Harris and Ryan Pettit are filling in for injured RB Darius Stith. Heritage, led by Stith, had back-to-back 300-yard rushing games in October, so his absence has hurt the Hurricanes.

ABOUT WARWICK: QB Cody Brodus looked tough in the face of Phoebus’ swarming defense during a 57-10 loss. Brodus rushed for 68 yards and passed for 128 yards despite being sacked five times. Warwick proved it could play with the PD’s best when it took a 10-0 lead over the Phantoms, but the Raiders have to sustain their intensity for four quarters. Michael Whitaker, Jamaris Sanders and Nigel Watford are the quickest group of receivers in the district.

PREDICTION: Warwick.

DENBIGH (5-4, 4-4) VS.

KECOUGHTAN (4-5, 3-5)

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: Todd Stadium in Newport News.

LAST YEAR: Kecoughtan won 50-0.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: These teams can’t make the playoffs.

ABOUT DENBIGH: The Patriots were held to a season-low 101 yards last week against Bethel, but they hope to bounce back with big games from QB Lamont Bryant and RB Chris Spencer. RB Brandon Gamble should also be a big part of the offense. Against Bethel, Denbigh’s defense surrendered more than 400 yards for the second time this season. DL Jaymes Brooks, Chavis Ross and DE Percy Moore lead Denbigh’s front seven.

ABOUT KECOUGHTAN: The Warriors finally pulled together another 100- yard rushing day last week against Woodside, but they produced more than half of the yards in the first half. Defensively, Kecoughtan continues to regress, giving up 280, 361 and 395 yards in its last three games. The Warriors will count on DL Jonathan Ashe (6-3, 252) and DE Asa Cooper to anchor the defense. QB Keith McBride and RB Isaiah Sheppard are the most elusive runners in Kecoughtan’s single-wing offense. FBs Asa Cooper and Deron Mayo are efficient at gaining yards between the tackles.

PREDICTION: Denbigh.

POQUOSON (7-2, 6-2) VS. GRAFTON (8-1, 7-1)

WHEN: 7:30 Saturday night.

WHERE: Bailey Field in Yorktown.

LAST YEAR: Grafton won 14-6.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: A victory would make Grafton the No. 2 seed with a home game against Powhatan in the Region I, Division 4 playoffs. A loss would send the Clippers to Powhatan, where they won last month. No matter what happens, Poquoson will make the Region I, Division 3 playoffs as the No. 1 or No. 2 seed.

ABOUT GRAFTON: The Clippers have one of the district’s best quarterbacks in David Poutier, one of its best running backs in Darrieus Ramsey and one of its best receivers in Brandon Garlow. Grafton’s only loss was to undefeated Lafayette — no shame there — and it’s been ranked among the state’s 10 best Group AA teams all season.

ABOUT POQUOSON: The Islanders don’t have an overwhelming superstar like last year — see: Zidenberg, Josh — but their record is the same as it was after nine games. Poquoson is fairly one-dimensional, leaning heavily on RBs Mike Bell, Chad Carlson and John Fiedler about 80 percent of the time. QB Sal Cannella has emerged as an effective if not spectacular passer.

PREDICTION: Grafton.

YORK (6-3, 5-3) VS. TABB (0-9, 0-8)

WHEN: 7:30 tonight.

WHERE: Bailey Field in Yorktown.

LAST YEAR: York won 63-22.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: A victory would send Tabb into the offseason on the right foot. York is playoff-bound, but wants to go in on a four-game winning streak rather than a one-game losing streak.

ABOUT YORK: The Falcons have rebounded from their midseason loss to Jamestown, winning three of their last four. That got them into the Region I, Division 3 playoffs as one of the Bay Rivers District’s two (maybe three) representatives. York has an impressive offensive arsenal: QB Stephen Opp, RBs Mike Leccadito, Sean Blow, Lamonte Gwynn, Trey Poulsen and Maceo Holmes, and WRs Randell Montgomery, Joey Buzby and Kenny Manning.

ABOUT TABB: Everyone knew this would be a tough year, and they were right. New coach Matt Lawson can console himself in knowing that most of his offensive stars are underclassmen: QB Brice Earnhardt, RBs Antonio Blackwell, Joey Dry, Fred Porter, Chris Phillips and Jacob Barclay and WR David Boyer. The rest of the district knows Tabb will be better next year. More good news: Lawson became a father again on Tuesday, this one a girl.

PREDICTION: York.

NEW KENT (5-4, 4-4) AT BRUTON (5-4, 4-4)

WHEN: 7:30 tonight.

WHERE: Bruton High School in Williamsburg.

LAST YEAR: New Kent won 28-23.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: Plenty, especially since the winner has an outside shot at the Division 3 playoffs. A Bruton loss would be its fourth straight after opening the season 5-1. New Kent could finish with a two-game winning streak or lose three of its last five.

ABOUT NEW KENT: A young and inexperienced offensive line has gotten better, which is why RBs Travis Lee and Daniel Allen are running better. The Trojans rely on Lee as much as any team in the Bay Rivers District relies on anybody. He hasn’t disappointed, scoring 19 touchdowns and rushing for 1,148 yards. Allen has added 620 yards.

ABOUT BRUTON: The Panthers’ late-season swoon is more a function of scheduling than the team’s will. Its early-season games were against weaker teams, and Bruton went 5-1. The next three were against stronger teams (the Panthers went 0-3) and tonight’s is a tossup. Much will depend on how well the defense reacts to New Kent’s tricky misdirection plays that generally feature Lee.

PREDICTION: New Kent.

JAMESTOWN (5-4, 4-4) VS. LAFAYETTE (9-0, 8-0)

WHEN: 7:30 tonight.

WHERE: Cooley Field in Williamsburg.

LAST YEAR: Lafayette won 45-0.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: Local pride and offseason bragging rights. Win or lose, Lafayette is at least co-champion of the Bay Rivers District and No. 1 seed in the Region I, Division 4 playoffs. Win or lose, Jamestown has enjoyed its best season in years and has brought respectability back to the program.

ABOUT JAMESTOWN: The Eagles don’t have enough to stay with Lafayette, but nobody else has either. Nevertheless, Jamestown is light years better than the past, having already won more games than in the four previous seasons combined. QB Randy Suders, WR Terrell White and RBs Travis Dale and Andre McLaughlin are seniors, leaving some holes to fIll.

ABOUT LAFAYETTE: Barring an upset, the Rams will start the playoffs undefeated. Second-ranked in the state poll behind Division 3 Gretna, Lafayette is deep, talented and experienced at every position. It starts with QB Kyle Hughes, extends to RBs George Pittman, Robert Pinkett and James Berkley, goes out to WRs Dakari Taylor-Watson and Lorenzo Christian and includes a solid defensive line and secondary.

PREDICTION: Lafayette.

SOUTHAMPTON (1-8, 1-7) AT SMITHFIELD (1-8, 1-7)

WHEN: 7:30 tonight.

WHERE: Smithfield High School in Smithfield.

LAST YEAR: Southampton won 27-0.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: Nothing … other than the difference in finishing 1- 9 and 2-8. In either case, the loser will finish in eighth place in the Bay Rivers District.

ABOUT SMITHFIELD: The switch to the single-wing has been tough on the Packers and their fans. Marcus Williams has been busy, rushing for 381 yards, passing for 64 and receiving for 64. Edward Hardin (492 rushing yards, 128 receiving) has been Smithfield’s most consistent offensive threat. Damien Whitley has 368 passing yards (six INTs and two TDs), all in the last four games.

ABOUT SOUTHAMPTON: The Indians have struggled since their recent 8-4 and 5-5 seasons. That’s the bad news. The good is that most of coach Littleton Parker’s players are athletic underclassmen who should be good in the future. RBs Dominique Johnson (327 yards), Jonathan Riddick (295) and Karvin Gwaltney (167), QB Eric Benton (416 passing yards) and WR Jermaine Taylor (19 catches for 212) are the team’s future.

PREDICTION: Smithfield.

PAYOFF PICTURE

DIVISION 6 EASTERN REGION

WHO’S IN: Landstown as the Beach District champion and Granby as the Eastern District champion. Oscar Smith is in no matter what happens tonight. WHO’S HOPEFUL: Western Branch and Deep Creek. OUTLOOK: Three of the four sports are set. Landstown and Granby have clinched district championships. Oscar Smith is in and can win the Southeastern District title by beating Indian River. The fourth team will be the winner of tonight’s Western Branch-Deep Creek game.

DIVISION 5 EASTERN REGION

WHO’S IN: Hampton, Woodside and Phoebus. WHO’S HOPEFUL: In power ratings order, Indian River, Booker T. Washington and Wilson. OUTLOOK: If Indian River upsets Oscar Smith, the Braves will make the playoffs, probably as the No. 4 seed. If Indian River loses, Booker T. Washington is in position to advance with a victory over Norcom. DIVISION 4 REGION I

WHO’S IN: Lafayette, Grafton, Powhatan and Courtland. OUTLOOK: The game of the weekend is at Bailey Field on Saturday night. If Grafton beats Poquoson, the Clippers clinch the second seed and will play host to Powhatan in the first round of the playoffs. If Grafton loses, the Clippers go to Powhatan. Courtland is locked into the fourth seed.

DIVISION 3REGION I

WHO’S IN: Poquoson and York. WHO’S HOPEFUL: Greensville County, New Kent, Bruton, Nandua and Northampton. OUTLOOK: This will be a playoff with three wild-card teams as the top seeds and the Eastern Shore District champion seeded fourth. Nandua will represent the Eastern Shore if it beats Arcadia tonight. Otherwise, Northampton could slip in. Poquoson is pretty much a lock, win or lose against Grafton on Saturday. So is York, which will be a heavy favorite over Tabb. If Greensville beats Park View of South Hill, the Eagles probably will edge out the winner of the Bruton-New Kent game. If Greensville loses, then the Bruton-New Kent winner should advance. The teams and seedings could depend on bonus points awarded to teams for the performance of their opponents.

DIVISION 2 REGION A

WHO’S IN: The field appears to be set with Essex getting the No. 1 seed, along with James Monroe, King William and Washington & Lee. OUTLOOK: Lancaster could come close by beating Northumberland but would probably fall a few points short of the fourth seed.

DIVISION 1 REGION A

WHO’S IN: Sussex Central and Franklin are set. If Sussex beats Surry County tonight, the Tigers will be the No. 1 seed. WHO’S HOPEFUL: Three teams are vying for the last two spots. They’re Rappahannock (109 points), Surry (105) and Mathews (104). OUTLOOK: Mathews has the best chance to win. The Blue Devils play Middlesex, which has won twice. Rappahannock plays Essex (8-1 record) and Surry faces Sussex Central (9-0).

Oh, this is good. This is terrific. This is rich.

Travis Lee says the only thing he’s ever wanted at New Kent High School is to be remembered. He set that goal after his freshman year, when George Jones was the Trojans’ star.

Lee got his shot the next season and has been creating memories ever since. He goes into tonight’s final regular-season game at Bruton as the Bay Rivers District’s No. 2 rusher with 1,148 yards and a district-best 18 touchdowns. He has 72 touchdowns and more than 7,500 all-purpose yards in his career.

Remembered? What do you think?

“I saw how George reacted after getting 1,000 yards my freshman year,” said Lee, a 5-8, 180-pound senior. “I saw how good it made him feel. I wanted to feel that way, too. I just wanted people around here to remember what I’d done.”

They’ll remember even better if New Kent beats Bruton tonight and Park View upsets Greensville in the Southside District. That scenario puts New Kent in the Region I, Division 3 playoffs with York, Poquoson and Nandua. Bruton gets the spot if it beats New Kent and Greensville loses. If Greensville wins as expected, it gets the spot.

“We can’t worry about what happens in that game,” Lee said of Greensville-Park View. “We have to do our own thing. We have to play New Kent football and win the game we’re playing. I don’t even think we’ll know anything (about the playoffs) until our game is over. In some ways, this will be our hardest game of the year.”

New Kent coach Fred Birchett was stunned when he compiled Lee’s stats. He expected something in the 3,800-4,000 range rather than almost 5,000 rushing yards for Lee’s career. He had 500 as a freshman and 1,716 as a sophomore, then 1,483 last year and 1,148 with at least one game remaining this year. He has scored rushing, receiving, returning kickoffs and returning punts.

Even though the numbers are slightly down, Birchett thinks this has been Lee’s most impressive year.

“We lost most of our linemen after last year, guys who’d played two or three years,” he said. “Travis’ yards this year have come harder than his yards in the past. I’ve always said anybody can get yards with a good enough offensive line. It’s the great back who gets yards when there aren’t any holes.

“Early in the year he was getting tackled right off the bat. He’s still getting hit, but he’s carrying people with him. When he gets 80 or so yards against good teams, it’s like getting 300 yards against some other teams. He’s stepped up his game and taken responsibility for our offense. And the thing is, he’s about clueless when it comes to his stats. He has no idea how good he’s been.”

Lee admits to some early-season frustrations as his young line struggled with its blocking assignments. His season-high 297 yards and five touchdowns against Jamestown last week speak to its improvement.

“I appreciate everything they do for me,” he said. “I thank them after every play. Like all good teams and all good players, we’ve gotten better as we’ve gone along.” *

On Friday, the Bruton High School senior will sign an early letter of intent with the Red Storm. She’s the first Panther to land a Division I scholarship in a major sport since quarterback Bryan Randall signed with Virginia Tech after the 2000-01 school year.

“I fell in love with everything when I went up there for my visit,” McLean said Wednesday.

“I liked everything about it: the city, the school, the coaches, the players on the team, the shopping, the partying. It’s a great atmosphere up there. I think Williamsburg is maybe way too small for me.”

McLean chose the Big East school over Temple, Miami, N.C. State, William and Mary, James Madison, West Virginia and Old Dominion. Reluctant at first to even take a recruiting visit to New York, she’s glad she did.

“It never occurred to me that St. John’s would be the place for me,” she said. “But the coaches were nice on the phone and then when I met them in person. I guess it’s a surprise that I’m going there, but it didn’t surprise me that I’d like the city as much as I do. There’s just so much going on up there.”

McLean led Bruton to last year’s Group AA state championship game.

She was all-Bay Rivers District and all-Region I after her sophomore year and all-district, all-region I and all-state last year.

She averaged 15 points and nine rebounds as a sophomore and 20.7 points and 9.6 rebounds as a junior.

* Tabb guard Justin Melton has accepted a basketball scholarship to Mount Olive (N.C.) College, a Division II school in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference. The 5-foot-10 guard was first-team All-Bay Rivers and Region I and second-team Daily Press all-star last year. Melton averaged 18 points a game as a junior.

* Jamestown’s girls’ basketball team will play three or perhaps four games in Naples, Fla., from Dec. 30-Jan. 3. The Eagles made a similar post-Christmas trip into Tennessee last season, a trip coach Jason Asbell credited with making his team better. Jamestown finished 26-3, losing to Fort Defiance in the Group AA state quarterfinals.

CROSS-COUNTRY

Girls teams from Jamestown, Lafayette and Bruton and boys teams from Tabb, Grafton and Jamestown will run in Saturday’s Group AA state cross country meet at Great Meadow in The Plains. The girls race is at 1, the boys at 1:45.

In addition, six runners from Bay Rivers District teams that didn’t qualify will run as individuals: Tom Williams of York, Jeff Gibson of New Kent, Jason Burleson of Poquoson and Roger Moore of Bruton, plus Kaylee Cossaboon of New Kent and Karen Terry of Smithfield.

Tabb, Grafton and Jamestown were 1-2-4 in the Region I boys meet, and Jamestown, Lafayette and Bruton were 1-3-4 in the Region I girls’ meet.

Mallory McClaine of Lafayette won the girls title, and Benjamin Mulherin of Tabb was second in the boys race.

FIELD HOCKEY

Lafayette’s Kellie Jenkins was shut out but not ignored in Tuesday night’s Group AA state quarterfinal field hockey game against Courtland.The Rams’ 3-0 loss ended their season at 20-3 and closed Jenkins’ career that included last year’s state championship.

“We didn’t assign anybody to her, but we knew where she was,” Courtland coach Amy Anderson said of Jenkins. “We’ve played against her in the past, and we’ve seen her play, so we know how good she is. But she tends to get angry and down on herself when things don’t go well. We saw a little of that (Tuesday night).”

INTERESTING STATISTICS

Jamestown’s Terrell White has caught only 23 passes from Randy Suders, but 11 have been for touchdowns. … Thirteen Poquoson runners have needed 430 carries to match the 2,150 yards Josh Zidenberg had in 230 carries at this point last season. … Chris Rojas of Bruton and Darrieus Ramsey of Grafton are the only Bay Rivers runners capable of joining Travis Lee (already at 1,148 yards) and George Pittman (1,240) as 1,000-yard rushers. Rojas needs 134 yards against New Kent and Ramsey needs 27 against Poquoson. … With one game remaining, only three BRD receivers will finish the regular season with at least 500 yards: Terrell White of Jamestown (currently at 688), Dakari Taylor-Watson of Lafayette (550) and Brandon Garlow of Grafton (534). *

Lafayette’s reign as Group AA state field hockey champion ended 90 seconds into Tuesday night’s quarterfinals on the frigid field at Charlottesville High School. Not officially, of course, but for all intents and purposes.

Courtland midfielder Tori Heslop gave the Cougars all they needed with a close-in goal moments after a corner shot. That started Courtland toward the 3-0 win that ended Lafayette’s season at 20-3. Heslop and Haylee Gunnoa added goals in the second half to remove all doubt.

“You learn what kind of team you have in regional and state competition,” Lafayette coach Pat Thompson said. “We learned that we had some weaknesses, some holes. Still, it was a great season. Going into it, I wasn’t certain we’d even be near the top in the (Bay Rivers) District. I was surprised when we finished the (regular season) at 18-0.”

Lafayette had beaten Courtland 4-0 in a pre-season scrimmage. Winning coach Amy Anderson said the team she fielded Tuesday night was vastly different from the one she had in August. It was also different from the team that lost to Lafayette in last year’s Region I tournament.

“We hung our heads after that August scrimmage,” Anderson said. “Then we picked ourselves up. Lafayette was so strong last year, we were sort of scared and wide-eyed. Yes, kids remember things like that 4-0 loss.”

The Rams fired nine shots at Courtland keeper Megan McCullough, but they failed to convert on eight corner shots, four in each half. Lafayette spent much of the first half pressuring the Cougars, coming agonizingly close on five occasions. In the second half, Lafayette had only four reasonably good chances. *

COURTLAND 3, LAFAYETTE 0

Halftime — 1-0. Goals — Heslop 2, Gunnoa. Assists — Quinn, Numberger. Saves — Lafayette, Earley 5; Courtland, McCullough 9. Records — Lafayette 20-2, Courtland 19-3.

ALL-REGION

First team: Kellie Jenkins, Lafayette; Chandon Hudgins, Lafayette; Dana Kuth, Tabb; Sam Wesser, Jamestown; Lauren Giles, Jamestown; Lindsey Baynham, Grafton; Anna Roberts, York.

Second team: Maddie Lyerly, Lafayette; Jessica Saha, Bruton; Kat Olsen, Poquoson; Taylor King, Tabb; Lynsi Matthews, Jamestown; Erin Beechel, Grafton; Sam Colandrea, Grafton.

Chris Rojas played in football purgatory last year, getting down and dirty and beat around. Such is the life of an under-appreciated offensive lineman. But that humbling experience is part of why he’s one of the Bay Rivers District’s best running backs.

Rojas is the starting fullback for Bruton, a team still clinging to hopes of making the Region I, Division 3 playoffs. The Panthers opened their season 5-1, then lost their last two. They visit undefeated Lafayette tonight and close the regular season at home next weekend against New Kent.

Bruton must go 7-3 to have a chance to reach the playoffs, and even that might not be enough. York and Poquoson are in better position to advance from the Bay Rivers, as is Greensville of the Southside District. Even though Nandua of the Eastern Shore has an abysmal power rating, that district must send a team, no matter how many Region I, D-3 teams have far better records.

“We have to win our last two games,” Bruton coach Kyle Neve said Wednesday. “We can’t count on anybody helping us.”

Regardless of what happens, Neve already has a solid base for next year. Quarterback Mark Tyler and running back Andre Parrott are sophomores. Rojas and fellow running back Adam Chalkley are juniors. Neve’s major task for 2005 will be replacing veteran offensive and defensive linemen to support the returning backfield.

Rojas has been among Bruton’s most pleasant surprises. He had never run with the football until carrying it 21 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the season-opener against Jamestown. Through seven games he’s gained 720 yards and scored nine touchdowns on 123 carries. So why was he a lineman last year?

“Because we needed him more as an offensive lineman,” Neve said. “He’s a tough, hard-nosed kid with a strong football personality, so we knew he’d eventually be our fullback. We told him that last year, told him fullback would be his.”

Rojas spent his sophomore season blocking for Parrott and JMU-bound senior Marcus Haywood. Rojas was running outdoor track in the spring when Neve told him the staff planned to move him to fullback this year.

“They told me the first day of practice to go with the running backs,” Rojas said. “I didn’t mind playing guard last year because that’s where they needed me. But I was excited when they said I’d be the fullback this year.”

Rojas averaged slightly more than 100 yards the first four games and about 80 in the last four. He has scored at least one touchdown in six of the Panthers’ first eight games. He said his experience at guard taught him a thing or two about fullback.

“I know that linemen sometimes get caught up in things and can’t make the block they want to make,” he said. “That means the runner has to adjust, like runners did behind me last year. In a way, playing the line helped make me a better runner.”

As for those defenders who had never heard of Bruton’s young backfield until this season, “I liked that nobody in the district knew anything about us,” Rojas said. “I liked the idea that early in the season people were saying, ‘Who are those guys?’ I think they know us now.” *